Get Started with Company Research

The type and amount of information you can find on a company depends on several factors.

1. Is the company public or private?
   Public companies must file information and data with the government and report to investors, so there will usually be more information available.
2. Where does the company sit on the family tree?
   Information on a subsidiary or division is often wrapped up in its parent company. For example, Marvel Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Disney Company. Any financial information available would be found in the Disney Company's annual report.
3. Are there variations of the company name?
   Some databases use alternative spellings or abbreviations of a company name. For example, a search for "Hilton" will retrieve information on Hilton Hotels and Hilton Worldwide, its holding company. If your company has a special character in its name, search for it with quotation marks ("AT&T").
4. Is the company international or based in the U.S.?
   Some companies are multinational, but the location of their headquarters determines where they pay taxes and what laws and regulations govern them. A quick internet search with the company name and the word headquarters will give you the information if you are unsure (for example, Unilever headquarters).
5. Is the company newsworthy?
   Companies tend to be in the news if they are performing well, having problems, or when they are promoting themselves. Business, local, and trade publications are good places to gather information on private companies.